Our team
CHE consists of a dedicated team of enrollment leaders,
marketing strategists, copywriters, web developers,
designers, researchers, and more. Our partners receive our
very best as we work together toward reaching enrollment
goals. How may we serve you?
Tom Clark
CEO
Dr. Mark Hughes
President
Dr. Kyle Brantley
Senior Vice President of Strategic Marketing & Communications
Greg Humphries
Senior Vice President of Information & Technology
Stuart Spires
Senior Vice President of Partner Relations
Caroline van der Poel
Vice President of Partner Services
Nathan Alexander
Regional Vice President of Partner Relations
Dr. John Borum
Regional Vice President of Partner Relations
Lindsey Blanton
Associate Vice President of Partner Success
Doug Stroupe
Project Coordinator & Estimator
Jeff Holliday
Senior Vice President of Partner Services
Kegan Hunter
Web Developer
Chris Mallonee
Senior Creative / Marketing Specialist
Kyle Smith
Designer/Marketing Specialist
Leslie Tighe
Senior Creative/Marketing Specialist
Ron Wagner
Content Strategist
Joey Bridges
Vice President of Information and Technology
Ryan Bridges
Data Analyst
Tom Clark
CEO
Dr. Mark Hughes
President
Mark has served as the senior enrollment officer at Anderson University in South Carolina, Gardner-Webb University in North Carolina, and Mississippi College. Mark has also professionally consulted for over 100 colleges and universities throughout the U.S. These institutions have enjoyed higher enrollment in traditional undergraduate, non-traditional, and graduate markets due in large part to his guidance. Mark’s leadership centers on positive net tuition outcomes, improving the recruitment experience for students, and building strategic partnerships with internal and external constituents. His enrollment management expertise has resulted in a combined 10,000 students in enrollment growth and increased student revenue of $300 million.
Mark holds a doctorate in educational administration with a concentration in higher education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He has an associate degree from Anderson University as well as a bachelor’s degree in administrative management and a master’s degree in human resource development from Clemson University.
Mark lives in Anderson, South Carolina, with his wife, Sonja. They have four girls: Jennifer, Ashley, Lindsey, and Hannah. Mark enjoys spending time with his family, especially with his granddaughters Collins and Charlotte.
Dr. Kyle Brantley
Senior Vice President of Strategic Marketing & Communications
Kyle is a higher education professional with 14 years of experience in enrollment management. Prior to joining CHE, he served as the Director of Admissions at Mississippi College, the state’s largest private university. Kyle served as a part of the leadership team that brought in the largest class and net revenue in the university’s history. In his time at MC, Kyle gave leadership and guidance to recruitment, marketing communications, financial aid leveraging, CRM development, telecounseling, the visit-and-event experience, and strategic planning.
Kyle brings a combination of communication, business, and leadership to the table through his educational and professional background. He holds a Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) in Organizational Leadership from Abilene Christian University and obtained his Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication at Mississippi College. Kyle currently serves as an adjunct at MC, teaching leadership communication and serving as practicum advisor for the Master in Higher Education Administration.
Kyle lives in Clinton, Mississippi, and outside of work enjoys staying active through tennis and working out, reading a book a week, and cooking (but more so eating).
Greg Humphries
Senior Vice President of Information & Technology
Before joining CHE, Greg served at Gardner-Webb University. He first began in enrollment services, where he led the department toward best practices through the implementation of a new CRM for enrollment management, documenting all processes, and standardizing data. He later took on the role of chief information officer for the university, serving the broader campus community and championing full implementation and use of software products. He managed the DBA and Programmer to work on custom applications and help departments work smarter with technology. T
Greg earned a master’s in business administration from GWU as well as a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems. Greg has a passion for improving processes and workplace balance using standardization, documentation, and technology. A process of discovery for the current environment and a subsequent plan for improvement is one of his trademark methods.
Greg is married to his wife, Jenny, and they have three grown children: Evan, Lilly, and Jay. They reside in Shelby, North Carolina.
Stuart Spires
Senior Vice President of Partner Relations
Stuart brings CHE more than 27 years of experience in enrollment management at both two-year and four-year public and private institutions throughout the Southeast. His experience includes five years as an assistant vice president over a degree-completion program which grew enrollment from 900 to over 1,200 while migrating programs to online delivery. His professional experience includes admissions/recruitment, financial aid, marketing, digital solutions, and consulting. Additionally, Stuart was a regional account executive with Wachovia Education Finance in the student lending industry.
Stuart earned a master’s degree in Computer Resources and Information Management from Webster University and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Anderson University.
Stuart and his wife, Tracy, live in Iva, South Carolina and they have two children, Cameron and Katie. They enjoy cruising, so you may find them sailing the Caribbean or walking along Bay Street in Nassau.
Caroline van der Poel
Vice President of Partner Services
Caroline is a dedicated higher education professional with five years of experience on the school side. Prior to CHE, Caroline served as Associate Director for Undergraduate Admissions at Gardner-Webb University, where she supervised the undergraduate admissions team, regional recruitment, and strategic initiatives that moved students through the funnel.
Caroline holds a master of business administration degree as well as a master plus certificate in marketing. She has conducted detailed research on Generation Z, regression analysis trends within the college decision-making process, and macro and micro level environmental trends that affect enrollment.
Caroline and her husband, Scott, live in Gastonia, North Carolina. Together they have a goal of seeing a baseball game in every major league ballpark (go Red Sox!). When not checking ballparks off her list, she loves spending time at the beach with her family.
Nathan Alexander
Regional Vice President of Partner Relations
Nathan brings more than 25 years of agency and institution experience in enrollment management and marketing to CHE. Working with scores of public and private institutions along the east coast, his focus has been centered around using effective communication to help colleges and universities grow and tell their stories better. Labeled by friends as the “enrollment junkie," Nathan's professional experience includes admissions and recruitment, financial aid, marketing, digital solutions, and enrollment consulting. Nathan earned both bachelor's and master’s degrees in business from Gardner-Webb University.
Nathan and his wife, Sheila, live in Inman, South Carolina, and have two adult children, Andrew and Avery. Nathan enjoys anything nautical, so you may find him on a boat of some kind somewhere in the Southeast at any time of the year.
Dr. John Borum
Regional Vice President of Partner Relations
John Borum has 20 years of higher education experience, most recently serving as the Associate Vice President for Undergraduate Enrollment at Dallas Baptist University. John provided strategic leadership in admissions, recruitment, scholarships, and retention. Under John’s leadership, DBU witnessed significant growth in new student enrollment, accompanied by a substantial increase in overall retention rates. He also possesses extensive experience in enrollment marketing, strategic planning, leadership training, and scholarship restructuring.
John received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. He earned his Master’s of Education in Higher Education Administration as well as his Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Dallas Baptist University. Most recently, John completed a Graduate Certificate in Enrollment Management from the University of Southern California’s Rossier School of Education.
John and his wife, Chaynie, reside in Midlothian, Texas, with their three children, Boston, Beckett, and Berkley. In his leisure time, John enjoys playing golf and leading worship at his church.
Lindsey Blanton
Associate Vice President of Partner Success
Lindsey offers 15 years of experience in higher education, marketing, and leadership to CHE. In her final role on campus, Lindsey served as the Senior Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Gardner-Webb University, where she directly supervised the undergraduate admissions team. Lindsey played a vital part in bringing in two of the largest classes in the institution’s history.
Prior to Lindsey’s transition to higher education, she spent many years serving within leadership teams for Chick-fil-A, running training, marketing, community events, and grand openings all over the country. Hospitality runs deep in her blood, and she believes in both Christian Chicken and Christian Education.
Lindsey and her husband, Caleb, live in Forest City, North Carolina, and they have two children, Calvin and Layla. As a family, they love to be outside and go on adventures. In addition to being with her family, Lindsey is a CrossFit L1 Trainer and enjoys spending time in the gym.
Doug Stroupe
Project Coordinator & Estimator
Doug is a print industry expert with over 30 years of experience. With a bachelor’s degree in communications media from Appalachian State University, Doug began his career as an offset pressman. He eventually worked his way through various other roles within the industry, working in sales, customer service, purchasing, and estimating. He eventually served as plant manager for over a decade. Working with clients and ensuring their full satisfaction is what Doug enjoys the most.
Doug and his wife, Pam, enjoy spending time at the lake with the kids and grandkids. Outside of work, Doug enjoys outdoor activities like hiking, camping, fishing, and hunting.
Jeff Holliday
Senior Vice President of Partner Services
Jeff has enjoyed a 28-year career in Student Financial Aid prior to joining CHE. He has served as Director of Financial Aid at Anderson University in South Carolina, Presbyterian College, and Montreat College in North Carolina. While at Montreat, Jeff also led the Enrollment Office as Dean of Enrollment Management. His most previous work was a 10-year stint at Clemson University where he served as Director of Scholarships and was involved with Staff Senate and college opportunity programs. Jeff has used his experience to work with a variety of colleges to achieve their enrollment goals through financial aid leveraging and implementing best practices in administering student financial aid.
Jeff holds a Master of Human Resource Development from Clemson University and a bachelor’s in history from Winthrop University.
Jeff lives in Anderson, South Carolina, with his wife, Heather. They have two children: Thomas and Ashton, a daughter-in-law, Laura, and two fur babies; Perrie and Phinn. Jeff enjoys spending time outdoors in a variety of activities including cycling, fishing, and gardening. Jeff and Heather are active members in the community of Anderson and their church where they serve.
Kegan Hunter
Web Developer
Kegan holds a bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina-Asheville in interactive design and 3D graphics. His previous experience includes designing and building websites for various schools including North Carolina State University, Duke University, and University of North Carolina-Wilmington. This inspired his passion for the technical side of graphic design and programming. Kegan now oversees CHE’s web development and its email campaign design and programming.
Kegan lives in Asheville, North Carolina. When he's not in front of a computer, Kegan can be found making music, traveling, and venturing out on hikes.
Chris Mallonee
Senior Creative/Marketing Specialist
Chris has an extensive and diverse background in art, painting, graphic design, and printing. His artistic talents make him the go-to for our right-brained ideas. He brings to the table over 25 years of experience in the printing and graphic design industry, with 18 of those years serving at CHE. Chris is highly skilled in variable data processing and best practices for direct mail. Chris graduated from Western Carolina University with a bachelor’s degree in graphic design.
Chris is an avid outdoorsman, loves painting murals, and is an active player and coach in a baseball league. His wife, Michelle, is an accomplished equestrian. Chris and Michele are the proud parents of their son, Ryan, and they reside in Candler, North Carolina.
Kyle Smith
Designer/Marketing Specialist
Kyle is a versatile designer and photographer, with over 15 years of experience. He has developed a vast range of skills and abilities that allow him to continuously create successful and eye-catching designs. He has worked with higher education institutions as well as led branding, advertising, promotional, and large-scale printing projects for a wide array of clients and industries. Kyle’s greatest abilities lie in logo creation and heavy Photoshop/photo manipulation work. He graduated from Kutztown University with a bachelor’s degree in communication design.
Kyle is an avid traveler and is currently working towards visiting all 50 states. With a passion for hiking and exploring, he is an accomplished photographer, recently featured in American Mensa’s monthly bulletin magazine. Kyle resides in Ambler, Pennsylvania, and enjoys spending time with his girlfriend Amanda and their corgi Baron.
Leslie Tighe
Senior Creative/Marketing Specialist
Leslie joined CHE in 2007. Two years later, as a pre-press designer, she landed her first project in higher education. Since then, she has spent the last 14 years dedicated to higher education marketing and graphic design. Leslie has experience in graphic design, digital, offset, and sign production. Her diverse background allows for a unique ability to understand all facets of the process, from concept to creation. Leslie graduated from Appalachian State University with a bachelor's degree in graphic design and imaging technologies.
Leslie and her husband, Randall, live in Asheville, North Carolina, and love entertaining their Jack Russell terrier, Lucy. When not at work, you can catch Leslie in her garden or in her kitchen, where she is always working on the next delicious dish.
Ron Wagner
Content Strategist
Ron has more than 17 years of experience working in higher education strategic communications, with a rich history of storytelling and content management for numerous colleges and universities. An expert interviewer and award-winning writer, he has worked with hundreds of administrators, professors, and students over his career and has a deep insight into what resonates with each audience. A first-generation college student, Ron has a great appreciation for the value of a college education and the opportunities it provides for students from all backgrounds.
Ron started his career as a journalist and spent seven years as the sports editor at Hendersonville (N.C.) Times-News, during which time he and his team were honored with more than a dozen North Carolina Press Association awards. He also has professional experience as a podcaster, live radio broadcaster, and social media specialist. Ron holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Furman University, which he was able to attend with the help of a baseball scholarship. While a Paladin, Ron was part of the 1991 Southern Conference championship team that competed in the NCAA tournament. He also has a Certification in Digital Marketing and Public Relations from Western Carolina University.
A lifetime sports fan, Ron roots most enthusiastically for the Atlanta Braves and Virginia Cavaliers and was present for Virginia’s Sweet 16, Elite 8, Final Four, and National Championship game wins in 2019. He and his wife, Susan, are Hendersonville natives who currently live in Asheville, North Carolina, with their two daughters, Elsa and Camille, and every day they are thankful to be able to hike, bike, garden, and otherwise be outside in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.
Joey Bridges
Vice President of Information and Technology
Joey has over 35 years of experience with technology and information systems, and nearly 20 of those years have been devoted to higher education. Joey has served in various roles throughout his career, including programmer, programmer analyst, systems analyst, and manager. Prior to joining CHE, Joey served as Server Administrator at Gardner-Webb University. He also owns his own IT consulting company that works with county government and textiles.
During his time at Gardner-Webb University, Joey earned his Master of Business Administration and began teaching as an adjunct faculty member for the university and for local community colleges. He has a passion for learning and building systems to enhance data viability.
Joey is married to his high school sweetheart, Kay, and they have raised two sons, Matthew and Ryan. They currently reside in Boiling Springs, North Carolina, where they raise their granddaughter, Kyndall, who is involved in competition dance.
Ryan Bridges
Data Analyst
Ryan serves as Data Analyst for CHE. He attended Gardner-Webb University, where he graduated with a degree in business administration. Since then, Ryan has worked in various fields, including insurance and supply chain management, and was most recently a buyer in the petroleum and gas industry.
Ryan lives in Matthews, North Carolina, with his wife, Emily, and their two boys. They enjoy walks on the greenway in downtown Matthews, vacationing at Ocean Isle Beach, and visiting family in the mountains. Don’t let his role fool you: Ryan is an avid adventurist, never passing up an opportunity to try an extreme sport. He loves snow skiing, water skiing, riding ATVs, jet skis, and go-karts, and he has even been paragliding in the Swiss Alps.